Apparatus for the percutaneous marking of a lesion

ABSTRACT

A method for safely operating a marking apparatus includes: providing a handle, a cannula that extends from the handle, a stylet slidably received within a lumen of the cannula for movement between a ready position and an extended position, and a plunger coupled to the stylet; providing a safety that comprises a channel provided on one of the handle and the plunger and a catch provided on the other of the handle and the plunger; defining a safety-on position wherein the catch and the channel are rotationally misaligned; defining a safety-off position wherein the catch and the channel are rotationally aligned; and rotating the catch with respect to the channel to move the safety from the safety-on position to the safety-off position to permit movement of the plunger and the stylet from the ready position to the extended position to expel the imaging marker from the cannula.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/421,517, filed Apr. 23, 2003, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/596,610, filed Jun. 16, 2000, which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/139,580, filed Jun. 17, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for the percutaneous positioning of a radiopaque marker for identifying the location of a lesion in a stereotactic biopsy procedure. More particularly, the invention relates to an introducer having a hollow cannula in combination with a movable stylet and a radiopaque marker disposed within the cannula and ejected from it by movement of the stylet.

Related Art

Tissue biopsies are commonly performed on many areas and organs of the body where it is desirable to ascertain whether or not the biopsied tissue is cancerous. Often, a lesion or other tissue to be biopsied is identified through use of an imaging technique such as a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan, ultrasonography, and mammography.

One problem commonly encountered, especially in breast biopsies, is that the lesion is so small that the biopsy reduces its size to the extent that it is no longer visible by the imaging method employed. In such circumstances, it is desirable to place a radiopaque marker at the site of the biopsy to enable the medical practitioner subsequently to locate the lesion quickly and accurately in the event complete removal of the affected tissue is indicated. This problem is currently met by placing a radiopaque marker at the biopsy area by means of a cannula or similar device housing the marker.

More particularly, one of the markers heretofore in use is a staple-type clip. The clip is introduced through a large-diameter cannula, specifically one of 11 gauge.

Some practitioners employ an embolization coil as a marker. This requires them to find a cannula or hollow needle of a size to receive the coil and some means to force the coil through the needle, all the while trying to keep these components together and sterile.

Prior devices for marking a biopsy area have several other disadvantages. A significant disadvantage is that the marker is not always completely ejected from the cannula or can be drawn back into or toward the cannula by the vacuum created upon the withdrawal of the cannula, which results in the marker being moved from the intended site, leading to inaccurate identification of the location of the biopsy area. A second major disadvantage is that current markers have a tendency to migrate within the tissue, also causing error in determining the biopsy location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a biopsy marking apparatus for the percutaneous placement of a marker at a biopsy site in a tissue mass to facilitate subsequent determination of the location of the biopsy site. The biopsy marking apparatus comprises an introducer having a handle to be grasped by a user, a cannula, a stylet, and a radiopaque marker. The cannula has a proximal end mounted to the handle and a distal end defining an insertion tip. The stylet is slidably received within the cannula for movement between a ready position in which a distal end of the stylet is spaced inwardly from the cannula tip to form a marker recess between the distal end of the stylet and the cannula tip, and an extended position in which the distal end of the stylet extends at least to the cannula tip to effectively fill the marker recess.

A plunger is movably mounted to the handle and operably engages the stylet, the plunger being movable between a first position and a second position for moving the stylet between the ready position and the extended position.

A latch is provided for fixing the stylet in the extended position to prevent retraction of the stylet from that position.

A radiopaque marker is disposed within the marker recess, whereby, when the plunger is moved between the first and second positions, the stylet is moved from the ready to the extended position to eject the radiopaque marker from the marker recess, and the latch fixes the stylet in the extended position to prevent the return of the marker to the marker recess.

The latch preferably comprises a detent on either the plunger or the handle and a catch on the other, the catch being receivable within the detent as the plunger is moved from the first to the second position.

In another aspect, the invention also provides a radiopaque marker having a marker body and an anchor extending away from the body for fixing the location of the radiopaque marker in a tissue mass by the tissue mass prolapsing about the anchor. Preferably, the body has an interior hollow portion forming an air trap to enhance the ultrasound characteristic of the radiopaque marker.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an introducer used to place a radiopaque marker at a biopsy location in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the area II of FIG. 1, illustrating the position of a radiopaque marker within the introducer prior to ejection;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the area III of FIG. 1, illustrating the arrangement of a handle, a plunger, and a stylet of the introducer;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the introducer in a ready condition;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the introducer in a discharged condition;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a first embodiment of a radiopaque marker according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a second embodiment of a radiopaque marker according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a third embodiment of a radiopaque marker according to the invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a fourth embodiment of a radiopaque marker according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a partially broken away perspective view, greatly enlarged, of a fifth embodiment of a radiopaque marker according to the invention;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the radiopaque marker of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a greatly enlarged view of a sixth embodiment of a radiopaque marker according to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a greatly enlarged view of a seventh embodiment of a radiopaque marker according to the invention;

FIG. 14 is a greatly enlarged view of an eighth embodiment of a radiopaque marker according to the invention; and

FIG. 15 is a greatly enlarged view of a ninth embodiment of a radiopaque marker according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a biopsy marking apparatus 10 according to the invention, which is capable of the percutaneous placement of a radiopaque marker at the location of a tissue biopsy. The biopsy marking apparatus 10 comprises an introducer 12 and a radiopaque marker 14 (FIG. 2) contained within the introducer 12. The introducer 12 includes a handle 16 having a hollow interior 18. The handle 16 comprises a grip portion 20 from which extends a tapered nose portion 22. The grip portion 20 defines a rear opening 24 that provides access to the hollow interior 18. A pair of detents 26 are formed in the grip portion 20 near the rear opening 24. Channels 28 are formed on the interior surface of the grip portion 20 and extend from the rear opening 24 to the detents 26.

The nose portion 22 comprises a guide passage 30 extending from the tip of the nose portion 22 to the hollow interior 18 of the handle 16. The guide passage 30 decreases in diameter inwardly from the tip of the nose portion to form a cannula seat 32. Alternatively, the diameter of the guide passage 30 may be substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of a cannula 34, which in any case is press-fit within the cannula seat 32. As is customary, the cannula is formed with a hollow interior 36 and a sharpened tip 38.

A stylet 40 comprising a shaft 42 and a base 44 is received within the hollow interior 18 of the handle 16 in a manner such that the shaft 42 extends through the guide passage 30 and into the cannula interior 36 and the stylet base lies within the hollow interior 18.

A plunger 50 comprises a cylindrical body 52 from which extend a pair of catches 54 at diametrically opposed positions. The cylindrical body 52 is sized so that it is slidably received within the rear opening 24 of the handle 16, where it is so oriented with respect to the handle that the catches 54 are aligned with the guide channels 28.

It will be recognized that the foregoing construction provides a biopsy marking apparatus which may be preassembled as a unit and prepackaged, all under sterile conditions, thereby affording the practitioner substantially greater convenience and reliability. Such a construction also permits use of a narrower cannula, which may be of 14 gauge or smaller.

In operation, the introducer 12 begins in the ready condition shown in FIG. 4. In this condition, the stylet shaft is received within the cannula but does not extend to the cannula tip 38, thereby forming a marker recess 46 within the cannula 34, the radiopaque marker 14 is disposed within the marker recess 46, and the plunger 50 is in a position relative to the handle 20 in which the catches are outside the handle; that is, they are not received within the detents 26. However, the plunger 50 is so oriented with respect to the handle that the catches 54 are aligned with the guide channels 28.

With the introducer in the ready condition, the cannula is positioned so that its tip is at or near the location of a tissue mass where a biopsy has been taken. Preferably, the cannula tip is positioned by using imaging systems. The cannula tip 38 can be designed for enhanced visibility using common imaging systems, such as CAT scan, ultrasonography and mammography. Suitable cannula tips are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,521, issued Feb. 13, 1996 to R. E. Davis and G. L. McLellan, which is incorporated by reference. Ultrasound enhancement technology is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,124, issued Aug. 30, 1983 to J. F. Guess, D. R. Dietz, and C. F. Hottinger; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,061, issued Apr. 15, 1986 to F. J. Fry.

Once the cannula is positioned at the desired location, the plunger 50 is moved from its first or ready condition as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 to a second or discharged condition in which the catches 54 are received within the detents 26 to lock the plunger 50 in the discharged condition and the stylet shaft extends beyond the cannula tip 38. The catches 50 and detents combine to function as a latch for locking the plunger in the discharged condition. As the plunger 50 is moved from the ready condition to the discharged condition, the plunger 50 drives the stylet base 44 forward to advance the stylet shaft 42 within the cannula interior 36. As the stylet shaft 42 is advanced, the radiopaque marker 14 is ejected from the marker recess 46 through the cannula tip 38 and into the tissue at the biopsy location.

It is preferred that the stylet shaft 42 be sized in a manner such that when the plunger 50 is in the discharged condition the stylet shaft 42 extends beyond the cannula tip 38 to ensure the complete ejection of the radiopaque marker 14 from the marker recess 46. The extension of the stylet shaft 42 beyond the cannula tip 38 also prevents the radiopaque marker 14 from being drawn back into the marker recess upon the removal of the introducer 12 from the tissue mass, which can occur as the tissue mass collapses and is drawn towards and into the cannula by the resilient nature of the tissue mass and the creation of a vacuum by the cannula as it is withdrawn from the tissue.

The rate at which the plunger 50 is moved from the ready condition to the discharged condition is preferably manually controlled by the user to control the rate at which the marker 14 is ejected into the tissue mass. Manual control of the ejection rate of the radiopaque marker provides the user with the ability to adjust the position of the cannula tip as the marker is being ejected and thereby permits additional control of the final location of the marker within the tissue mass. In other words, “on-the-fly” adjustment of the cannula tip during positioning of the marker 14 enables a more accurate placement of the marker.

The biopsy marking apparatus 12 may be placed in a safety condition (not shown) before packaging or use by rotationally orienting the plunger 50 with respect to the handle 16 so that the catches 54 are out of alignment with the guide channels 28, whereby the plunger cannot be depressed or advanced within the handle. It will be apparent that the marking apparatus can be placed in the ready condition previously described simply by rotating the plunger relative to the handle until the catches 54 are aligned with the guide channels 28.

It will also be apparent that the biopsy marking apparatus 10 may incorporate or be fitted with any one of several known trigger devices, some of them spring-loaded, for advancement of the plunger 50. Such a trigger device is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,413, issued Jun. 30, 1992 to G. W. Baran.

It should be noted that as a variation of the foregoing procedure the cannula employed during the biopsy procedure might be left in place with its tip remaining at the site of the lesion. The introducer 12 of the present invention would then be directed to the site through the biopsy cannula or, alternatively, the marker 14 of the present invention would be introduced to the biopsy cannula and ejected from its tip into the tissue mass by fitting the biopsy cannula to the introducer 12 in place of the cannula 34.

The radiopaque marker 14 used in combination with the introducer 12 to mark the location of the tissue biopsy should not only be readily visible using contemporary imaging techniques but it should not migrate within the tissue from the position in which it is initially placed. FIGS. 6 to 15 disclose various embodiments of radiopaque markers 14 that are highly visible using contemporary imaging techniques and are resistant to migration in the tissue.

FIG. 6 illustrates a first embodiment 60 of a radiopaque marker comprising a coil spring 62 from which extend radiopaque fibers 64. The coil spring 62 is preferably made from platinum or any other material not rejected by the body. The coil spring 62 is wound to effectively form a hollow interior comprising one or more air pockets, which are highly visible using contemporary ultrasound imaging techniques. The radiopaque fibers 64 are preferably made from Dacron, which is also highly visible using current imaging techniques.

The radiopaque marker 60 is highly visible using any of the commonly employed contemporary imagining techniques because of the combination of reflective surfaces formed by the coils, the hollow interior and the air pockets of the coil spring 62, as well as the radiopaque fibers 64.

The coil spring 62 is pre-shaped prior to being loaded into the marker recess 46 so that it tends to form a circular shape as shown in FIG. 6 after it is ejected from the marker recess 46. The circular shape tends to resist migration within the tissue.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment 70 of a radiopaque marker having a star-burst configuration comprising a core 72 with multiple fingers 74 extending from the core.

FIG. 8 illustrates a third embodiment 80 of a radiopaque marker that is similar to the star-burst marker 70 in that it comprises a core 82 from which extend three fingers 84. Each of the fingers includes radiopaque fibers 86, which are preferably made from Dacron or a similar material.

FIG. 9 illustrates a fourth embodiment 90 of a radiopaque marker having a generally Y-shaped configuration comprising an arm 92 from which extend diverging fingers 94. The arm and fingers 92, 94 are preferably made from a suitable resilient metal such that the fingers can be compressed towards each other and the entire radiopaque marker 90 stored within the marker recess 46 of the cannula. Upon ejection of the marker 90 from the marker recess 46 into the tissue mass, the fingers 94 will spring outwardly to provide the marker 90 with an effectively greater cross-sectional area.

In addition to providing the marker 90 with an effectively greater cross-sectional area, the tips of the fingers 94, together with the free end of the arm 92, effectively form points of contact with the surrounding tissue mass that help to anchor the marker 90 in its release condition to prevent migration through the tissue mass.

FIG. 10 illustrates a fifth embodiment 100 of a radiopaque marker having a wire-form body in a horseshoe-like configuration comprising a rounded bight portion 102 from which extend inwardly tapering legs 104, each of which terminate in curved tips 106. The entire marker 100 preferably has a circular cross section defining a hollow interior 108. The hollow interior provides for the trapping of air within the marker 100 to improve the ultrasound characteristics of the marker 100.

The curved bight portion 102 and legs 104 preferably lie in a common plane. However, the tips 106 extend away from the legs 104 and out of the common plane so that the tips 106 will better function as anchors for the tissue that prolapses about the tips 106 once the marker 100 is ejected from the marker recess 46 and the introducer 12 is withdrawn from the tissue mass.

FIG. 12 illustrates a sixth embodiment 110 of a radiopaque marker that is similar to the horseshoe-like fifth embodiment marker 100 in that it comprises a bight portion 112 from which extend legs 114, which terminate in tips 116. The legs 114 of the marker 110 are crossed relative to each other, unlike the legs of the marker 100, providing the marker 110 with an effectively larger cross- sectional diameter. The tips 116 are oriented at approximately 90° relative to the legs 114 to form anchors. The marker 110 also has a hollow interior 118 for enhanced radiopaque characteristics.

Though, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the tips 116 of the marker 110 are oriented at approximately 90° with respect to the legs 114, it is within the scope of the invention for the tips 116 to extend at substantially any angle with respect to the legs 114. The tips 116 also need not extend away from the legs in the same direction. For example, the tips 116 could extend in opposite directions from the legs 114.

FIG. 13 illustrates a seventh embodiment 120 of a radiopaque marker having a generally helical configuration comprising multiple coils 122 of continuously decreasing radius. The helical marker 120 is preferably made from a radiopaque material and has a hollow interior 124 to enhance its radiopaque characteristics. The decreasing radius of the coils 122 provides the marker 120 with multiple anchor points created by the change in the effective cross-sectional diameter along the axis of the helix. In other words, since the effective cross-sectional diameter of each coil is different from the next and each coil is effectively spaced from adjacent coils at the same diametric location on the helix, the tissue surrounding the marker 120 can prolapse between the spaced coils and each coil effectively provides an anchor point against the tissue to hold the marker 120 in position and prevent its migration through the tissue mass.

FIG. 14 illustrates an eighth embodiment 130 of a radiopaque marker comprising a cylindrical body 132 in which are formed a series of axially spaced circumferential grooves 134. The spaced grooves 134 form a series of ridges 136 therebetween on the outer surface of the cylindrical body 132. The cylindrical body 132 preferably includes a hollow interior 138.

The alternating and spaced ridges 136 and grooves 134 provide the marker 130 with a repeating diameter change along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body 132. As with the helical marker 120, the grooves 134 between the ridges 136 provide an area in which the tissue surrounding the marker 130 can prolapse thereby enveloping the ridges 136, which function as anchors for preventing the migration of the marker 130 in the tissue mass.

FIG. 15 illustrates a ninth embodiment 140 of a radiopaque marker comprising a cylindrical body 142 having an axial series of circumferential grooves 144 whose intersections with adjacent grooves form ridges 146. The cylindrical body 142 preferably includes a hollow interior 148. An anchor 150 extends from the cylindrical body 142. The anchor 150 comprises a plate 152 connected to the cylindrical body 142 by a wire 154.

The grooves 144 and ridges 146 of the maker 140 provide anchors in the same manner as the grooves 134 and ridges 136 of the marker 130. The anchor 150 further enhances the non-migrating characteristics of the marker 140 by permitting a large portion of the surrounding tissue mass to prolapse between the plate 150 and the cylindrical body 142.

The fifth through the ninth embodiments all preferably have a wire-form body. The various wire-form body shapes can be formed by stamping the shape from metal stock or the bending of a wire.

It should be noted that virtually all of the embodiments of the radiopaque marker described as being hollow can be made without a hollow interior. Similarly, those without a hollow interior can be made with a hollow interior. The hollow interior improves the ultrasound characteristics of the particular marker beyond the inherent radiopaque and ultrasound characteristics attributable to the marker shape and material. In practice, the use of the hollow interior is limited more by manufacturing and cost considerations rather than by performance.

Also, the shape of each marker can be altered to improve or enhance its non-migrating characteristics by adding an express anchor such as that disclosed in connection with the marker 140 or by modifying the marker to provide more anchor points as may be compatible with the basic configuration of the marker.

The combination of the enhanced radiopaque characteristics of the markers and the enhanced non-migrating features result in markers that are superior in use for identifying biopsy location after completion of the biopsy. The ability to accurately locate the biopsy site greatly reduces the amount of tissue that must be removed in a subsequent surgical procedure if the biopsy is cancerous. Additionally, the marker further enhances the ability to use percutaneous methods for removing the entire lesion, reducing the trauma associated with more radical surgical techniques.

The radiopaque markers described and illustrated herein are smaller than the staple-type clip and embolization coil used heretofore, thereby permitting a cannula of 14 gauge or less.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.

PARTS LIST 10 biopsy marking apparatus 12 introducer 14 radiopaque marker 16 handle 18 hollow interior 20 grip portion 22 nose portion 24 rear opening 26 detents 28 guide channels 30 guide passage 32 cannula seat 34 cannula 36 cannula interior 38 cannula pointed tip 40 stylet 42 stylet shaft 44 stylet base 46 marker recess 48 50 plunger 52 cylindrical body 54 catch 56 58 60 radiopaque marker 62 coil spring 64 radiopaque fibers 66 68 70 second embodiment radiopaque marker 72 core 74 markers 76 78 80 third embodiment radiopaque maker 82 core 84 fingers 86 88 90 fourth embodiment radiopaque marker 92 arm 94 fingers 96 98 100 fifth embodiment radiopaque marker 102 curved bight portion 104 legs 106 tips 108 110 sixth embodiment radiopaque marker 112 curved bight portion 114 legs 116 tips 118 hollow interior 120 seventh embodiment radiopaque marker 122 coil 124 126 128 130 eighth embodiment radiopaque marker 132 cylindrical body 134 grooves 136 ridges 138 hollow interior 140 ninth embodiment radiopaque marker 142 cylindrical body 144 grooves 146 ridges 148 hollow interior 150 anchor 152 plate 

1-99. (canceled)
 100. A method for safely operating a marking apparatus in a percutaneous imaging marker placement procedure, comprising: providing a handle, a cannula that extends from the handle, a stylet slidably received within a lumen of the cannula for movement between a ready position and an extended position, an imaging marker disposed completely within a marker recess formed by the cannula and the stylet, and an actuator having a plunger connected to the stylet to move the stylet from the ready position to the extended position to expel the imaging marker from the cannula; providing a safety that comprises a channel provided on one of the handle and the plunger and a catch provided on the other of the handle and the plunger, the catch being rotatable relative to the channel; defining a safety-on position wherein the catch and the channel are rotationally misaligned so as to prevent movement of the plunger and stylet from the ready position to the extended position; defining a safety-off position wherein the catch and the channel are rotationally aligned so as to permit movement of the plunger and stylet from the ready position to the extended position; and rotating the catch with respect to the channel to move the safety from the safety-on position to the safety-off position to permit movement of the plunger and stylet from the ready position to the extended position to expel the imaging marker from the cannula.
 101. The method of claim 100, wherein with the safety in the safety-off position, the method further comprising manually moving the plunger in a distal direction to move the stylet from the ready position to the extended position so as to eject the imaging marker from the cannula.
 102. The method of claim 101, comprising manually controlling a rate at which the plunger is moved so as to control a rate at which the imaging marker is ejected from the cannula.
 103. The method of claim 101, comprising manually positioning a tip of the cannula as the imaging marker is being ejected.
 104. The method of claim 101, comprising locking the stylet in the extended position.
 105. The method of claim 104, wherein the catch is part of the plunger, and the act of locking is effected by engaging the catch of the plunger with a detent of the handle.
 106. The method of claim 100, comprising providing the handle with a grip portion having an enlarged diameter portion against which a user's fingers can bear during an insertion of the cannula into a patient.
 107. The method of claim 100, wherein the safety is positioned in the safety-on position, such that the catch and the channel are rotationally misaligned, before packaging or use, such that the plunger cannot be depressed or advanced within the handle.
 108. A method of operating a marking apparatus for the percutaneous placement of an imaging marker at a location in a patient, comprising: providing a handle defining a hollow interior; providing a cannula mounted to the handle and configured to extend from the handle, the cannula being configured to define a lumen open to the hollow interior of the handle, a distal end of the cannula forming an insertion tip with an axial opening at the insertion tip; providing a stylet having a proximal end with a proximal tip and a distal end, slidably received within the lumen for movement between a ready position and an extended position, where, in the ready position, the distal end of the stylet is spaced inwardly from the insertion tip to define a marker recess between the distal end of the stylet and the axial opening, and in the extended position the distal end of the stylet extends at least into the marker recess; providing an imaging marker disposed completely within the marker recess to be expelled through the axial opening by movement of the stylet from the ready position to the extended position, wherein the imaging marker has no lead long enough to extend from the interior of the tissue mass to the exterior of the tissue mass when the imaging marker has been placed in the tissue mass; providing an actuator having a plunger connected to the proximal end of the stylet, and configured to effect the relative movement of the cannula and the stylet to move the stylet from the ready position to the extended position; and operating a safety to selectively prohibit the sliding of the stylet, wherein the safety comprises a channel provided on one of the handle and the plunger and a catch provided on the other of the handle and the plunger such that when the catch and channel are aligned, the stylet can slide from the ready position to the extended position, and when the catch and the channel are misaligned, the stylet cannot slide from the ready position to the extended position.
 109. The method of claim 108, wherein with the safety positioned such that the catch is aligned with the channel, the method further comprising manually moving the stylet from the ready position to the extended position so as to eject the imaging marker from the cannula.
 110. The method of claim 109, comprising manually controlling a rate at which the plunger is moved so as to control a rate at which the imaging marker is ejected from the cannula.
 111. The method of claim 109, comprising manually positioning a tip of the cannula as the imaging marker is being ejected.
 112. The method of claim 109, comprising locking the stylet in the extended position.
 113. The method of claim 108, wherein the catch is part of the plunger, and the act of locking is effected by engaging the catch of the plunger with a detent of the handle.
 114. The method of claim 108, comprising providing the handle with a grip portion having an enlarged diameter portion against which a user's fingers can bear during an insertion of the cannula into the patient.
 115. The method of claim 108, wherein before packaging or use of the marking apparatus, the safety is operated such that the catch and the channel are misaligned so that the plunger cannot be depressed or advanced within the handle.
 116. The method of claim 108, wherein at least a portion of the stylet remains within the hollow interior of the handle as the stylet is slid between the ready position to the extended position.
 117. The method of claim 108, further comprising fixing the stylet in the extended position to prevent a retraction of the stylet from the extended position.
 118. The method of claim 117, wherein the act of fixing is achieved by providing a detent on one of the plunger and the handle and the catch on the other of the plunger and the handle, the catch being receivable within the detent as the stylet is moved from the ready position to the extended position.
 119. A method for safely operating a marking apparatus, comprising: providing a handle, a cannula that extends from the handle, a stylet slidably received within a lumen of the cannula for movement between a ready position and an extended position, and a plunger coupled to the stylet; providing a safety that comprises a channel provided on one of the handle and the plunger and a catch provided on the other of the handle and the plunger; defining a safety-on position wherein the catch and the channel are rotationally misaligned; defining a safety-off position wherein the catch and the channel are rotationally aligned; and rotating the catch with respect to the channel to move the safety from the safety-on position to the safety-off position to permit movement of the plunger and the stylet from the ready position to the extended position to expel the imaging marker from the cannula. 